Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic, flexible and dynamic person with excellent communication skills to support the musculoskeletal physiotherapy service on a permanent basis.
You will be working as a Therapy Assistant Practitioner.
You will be expected to undertake specific highly skilled support work to assist the Physiotherapists in the treatment and rehabilitation of patients within the musculo-skeletal outpatient team.
Although we have a very strong learning and development function, you will need to have acquired some skills and experience from your career in order for your time with us to be a real success. These can be found in the Person and Job Description attachments.
The post is 30 hours/week, working over 5 days.
Main duties of the job
To undertake highly skilled support work to assist the Physiotherapists in the treatment and rehabilitation of patients within the Musculoskeletal Outpatient team.
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To accept patients referred by a Physiotherapist and assume responsibility for managing an individual caseload, primarily working independently but maintaining regular communication with the Therapist. Access to advice and support from the Therapist is available when needed. All clinical work is routinely evaluated and monitored by the Physiotherapist on a regular basis.
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To provide treatment to all patients according to established treatment protocols, monitoring progress and making adjustments as necessary within the agreed parameters.
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To carry out individual and group treatment programs as directed by the Therapist, demonstrating and teaching specific exercises and techniques to patients. This includes assisting patients in regaining independence with respect to activities of daily living.
About us
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology.
Our Values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.
Job description
Job responsibilities
-
Support Physiotherapists in Assessment and Rehabilitation:
-
Assist physiotherapists in the assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal patients to maximize their potential.
-
Carry out individual and group treatment programs as delegated by the physiotherapists, demonstrating exercises and techniques to patients.
-
Support patients in regaining independence with activities of daily living (ADLs) by teaching functional exercises and mobility strategies.
-
Delegated Responsibility in Musculoskeletal Outpatients:
-
Hold responsibility for a designated area of service, specifically musculoskeletal outpatient care, ensuring the treatment and rehabilitation plans are followed and updated.
-
Assess and manage individual patients within this scope, maintaining high-quality care standards in line with physiotherapist guidance.
-
Referral Screening and Prioritization:
-
Obtain and review reports for current and new patients in the designated areas to determine appropriate treatment plans.
-
Screen and prioritize new referrals based on clinical urgency, discussing cases with physiotherapists as needed.
-
Monitor and prioritize daily caseloads, adjusting treatment plans as necessary.
-
Informed Consent and Patient Understanding:
-
Assess the patients understanding of proposed treatments and gain informed consent, ensuring patients are aware of their treatment options, risks, and benefits.
-
Engage patients in their care decisions to ensure compliance and improve outcomes.
-
Monitoring and Clinical Reasoning:
-
Continuously monitor patient condition during and following treatment, interpreting clinical observations to gauge progress.
-
Use clinical reasoning to adjust treatments, progressing or altering techniques within the scope of competence and as directed by the physiotherapist.
-
Functional Assessments:
-
Conduct functional assessments to evaluate the impact of musculoskeletal conditions on daily living and report findings to physiotherapists.
-
Assist in the evaluation of functional status and mobility levels to inform ongoing treatment strategies.
-
Active Participation in Meetings:
-
Documentation and Record Keeping:
-
Maintain accurate and comprehensive patient treatment records, adhering to the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) standards and departmental policies.
-
Ensure records are kept up-to-date with all relevant clinical information and treatment progress.
-
Respecting Patient Dignity and Cultural Needs:
-
Treat patients with respect and dignity, considering their cultural and individual needs during clinical interactions.
-
Ensure privacy is maintained at all times, and that patients' emotional and social needs are considered as part of their rehabilitation plan.
-
Communication Skills:
-
Use a variety of verbal and non-verbal communication techniques to engage effectively with patients and team members.
-
Adapt communication methods for patients with language barriers, cognitive difficulties, or emotional challenges (e.g., patients with depression or confusion).
-
Provide clear explanations, motivation, and reassurance to patients, relatives, and carers to foster cooperation with treatment plans.
-
Handling Sensitive Information:
-
Communicate complex or sensitive information regarding prognosis, mobility limitations, or social function changes to patients and staff with empathy and care.
-
Ensure that information is delivered appropriately and sensitively, both within the team and to the patient.
-
Collaboration and Relationship Building:
-
Establish effective working relationships with patients, physiotherapists, and other healthcare professionals within the multidisciplinary team (MDT).
-
Collaborate with external agencies to ensure holistic patient care, facilitating smooth transitions between treatment phases.
-
Time and Caseload Management:
-
Prioritize and plan daily activities, balancing clinical and administrative duties in collaboration with the physiotherapy team.
-
Adapt to changing priorities, adjusting caseload management as required and informing the physiotherapists of any issues promptly.
-
Delegating Work to Therapy Assistants:
-
Administrative and Organizational Support:
-
Maintain adequate supplies of treatment materials and paperwork (e.g., patient notes, information leaflets) to support patient care.
-
Assist in organizing and maintaining treatment areas, ensuring everything is stocked and prepared.
-
Training and Professional Development:
-
Participate in hospital induction programs and on-the-job training to enhance clinical skills and knowledge.
-
Engage in the departmental in-service training program, including attending tutorials, external courses, peer reviews, and training sessions.
-
Attend mandatory Trust training and update e-learning modules as required to maintain competencies.
-
Compliance with Clinical Guidelines:
-
Adhere to the Trusts clinical guidelines, policies, and procedures, as well as the CSP professional standards.
-
Ensure that treatments are delivered within established clinical frameworks and safety guidelines.
-
Contributing to Audits and Research:
-
Assist in collecting data for service audits and research projects to assess and improve service delivery.
-
Participate in evaluating work practices using evidence-based methodologies, contributing to audits, research, and outcome measures as directed.
-
Development of Protocols and Standards:
-
Provide input into the development of protocols, operational policies, and departmental standards based on clinical experience and practice.
-
Collaborate with physiotherapists and other team members to review and improve clinical guidelines.
-
Competency and Appraisals:
-
Work within your scope of competence, recognizing limitations and seeking supervision or advice when necessary.
-
Participate in the staff appraisal scheme as an appraisee, setting personal development goals and ensuring progress through ongoing learning.
Job description
Job responsibilities
-
Support Physiotherapists in Assessment and Rehabilitation:
-
Assist physiotherapists in the assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal patients to maximize their potential.
-
Carry out individual and group treatment programs as delegated by the physiotherapists, demonstrating exercises and techniques to patients.
-
Support patients in regaining independence with activities of daily living (ADLs) by teaching functional exercises and mobility strategies.
-
Delegated Responsibility in Musculoskeletal Outpatients:
-
Hold responsibility for a designated area of service, specifically musculoskeletal outpatient care, ensuring the treatment and rehabilitation plans are followed and updated.
-
Assess and manage individual patients within this scope, maintaining high-quality care standards in line with physiotherapist guidance.
-
Referral Screening and Prioritization:
-
Obtain and review reports for current and new patients in the designated areas to determine appropriate treatment plans.
-
Screen and prioritize new referrals based on clinical urgency, discussing cases with physiotherapists as needed.
-
Monitor and prioritize daily caseloads, adjusting treatment plans as necessary.
-
Informed Consent and Patient Understanding:
-
Assess the patients understanding of proposed treatments and gain informed consent, ensuring patients are aware of their treatment options, risks, and benefits.
-
Engage patients in their care decisions to ensure compliance and improve outcomes.
-
Monitoring and Clinical Reasoning:
-
Continuously monitor patient condition during and following treatment, interpreting clinical observations to gauge progress.
-
Use clinical reasoning to adjust treatments, progressing or altering techniques within the scope of competence and as directed by the physiotherapist.
-
Functional Assessments:
-
Conduct functional assessments to evaluate the impact of musculoskeletal conditions on daily living and report findings to physiotherapists.
-
Assist in the evaluation of functional status and mobility levels to inform ongoing treatment strategies.
-
Active Participation in Meetings:
-
Documentation and Record Keeping:
-
Maintain accurate and comprehensive patient treatment records, adhering to the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) standards and departmental policies.
-
Ensure records are kept up-to-date with all relevant clinical information and treatment progress.
-
Respecting Patient Dignity and Cultural Needs:
-
Treat patients with respect and dignity, considering their cultural and individual needs during clinical interactions.
-
Ensure privacy is maintained at all times, and that patients' emotional and social needs are considered as part of their rehabilitation plan.
-
Communication Skills:
-
Use a variety of verbal and non-verbal communication techniques to engage effectively with patients and team members.
-
Adapt communication methods for patients with language barriers, cognitive difficulties, or emotional challenges (e.g., patients with depression or confusion).
-
Provide clear explanations, motivation, and reassurance to patients, relatives, and carers to foster cooperation with treatment plans.
-
Handling Sensitive Information:
-
Communicate complex or sensitive information regarding prognosis, mobility limitations, or social function changes to patients and staff with empathy and care.
-
Ensure that information is delivered appropriately and sensitively, both within the team and to the patient.
-
Collaboration and Relationship Building:
-
Establish effective working relationships with patients, physiotherapists, and other healthcare professionals within the multidisciplinary team (MDT).
-
Collaborate with external agencies to ensure holistic patient care, facilitating smooth transitions between treatment phases.
-
Time and Caseload Management:
-
Prioritize and plan daily activities, balancing clinical and administrative duties in collaboration with the physiotherapy team.
-
Adapt to changing priorities, adjusting caseload management as required and informing the physiotherapists of any issues promptly.
-
Delegating Work to Therapy Assistants:
-
Administrative and Organizational Support:
-
Maintain adequate supplies of treatment materials and paperwork (e.g., patient notes, information leaflets) to support patient care.
-
Assist in organizing and maintaining treatment areas, ensuring everything is stocked and prepared.
-
Training and Professional Development:
-
Participate in hospital induction programs and on-the-job training to enhance clinical skills and knowledge.
-
Engage in the departmental in-service training program, including attending tutorials, external courses, peer reviews, and training sessions.
-
Attend mandatory Trust training and update e-learning modules as required to maintain competencies.
-
Compliance with Clinical Guidelines:
-
Adhere to the Trusts clinical guidelines, policies, and procedures, as well as the CSP professional standards.
-
Ensure that treatments are delivered within established clinical frameworks and safety guidelines.
-
Contributing to Audits and Research:
-
Assist in collecting data for service audits and research projects to assess and improve service delivery.
-
Participate in evaluating work practices using evidence-based methodologies, contributing to audits, research, and outcome measures as directed.
-
Development of Protocols and Standards:
-
Provide input into the development of protocols, operational policies, and departmental standards based on clinical experience and practice.
-
Collaborate with physiotherapists and other team members to review and improve clinical guidelines.
-
Competency and Appraisals:
-
Work within your scope of competence, recognizing limitations and seeking supervision or advice when necessary.
-
Participate in the staff appraisal scheme as an appraisee, setting personal development goals and ensuring progress through ongoing learning.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience in a health or social care setting through employment, work placement or volunteering
- Experience in teaching exercises for fitness purposes
- Experience in performing administration duties
- Experience in working within a team environment
Desirable
- Previous experience of working within field of work
- Previous experience of working within a hospital setting
Knowledge and abilities
Essential
- Advanced knowledge of exercise philosophy and physiology
- Knowledge regarding the role of a Physiotherapist as a profession and how they can help improve patient care and outcomes
- Ability to work independently and prioritise own workload
- Excellent communication skills and good use of the English language.
Desirable
- Knowledge of SystmOne
- Good basic working knowledge of medical conditions and how they affect patients.
Personal skills
Essential
- Able to work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team
- Understands, promotes, and advocates for equality, diversity and inclusion
Qualifications
Essential
- 3 A levels or Health and Science T-level or equivalent Level 3 qualification or Level 3 Apprenticeship Or demonstrable experience of minimum 12 months Plus 5 GCSEs must include English and Maths grade 4 or above (A to C) or Functional Skills Level 2
Desirable
- Care certificate
- Competency based development and other role specific training
- Nationally available relevant e-learning
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience in a health or social care setting through employment, work placement or volunteering
- Experience in teaching exercises for fitness purposes
- Experience in performing administration duties
- Experience in working within a team environment
Desirable
- Previous experience of working within field of work
- Previous experience of working within a hospital setting
Knowledge and abilities
Essential
- Advanced knowledge of exercise philosophy and physiology
- Knowledge regarding the role of a Physiotherapist as a profession and how they can help improve patient care and outcomes
- Ability to work independently and prioritise own workload
- Excellent communication skills and good use of the English language.
Desirable
- Knowledge of SystmOne
- Good basic working knowledge of medical conditions and how they affect patients.
Personal skills
Essential
- Able to work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team
- Understands, promotes, and advocates for equality, diversity and inclusion
Qualifications
Essential
- 3 A levels or Health and Science T-level or equivalent Level 3 qualification or Level 3 Apprenticeship Or demonstrable experience of minimum 12 months Plus 5 GCSEs must include English and Maths grade 4 or above (A to C) or Functional Skills Level 2
Desirable
- Care certificate
- Competency based development and other role specific training
- Nationally available relevant e-learning
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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